Investigators ID body found floating in pool of man accused of dealing drugs

August 31, 2010|By Sofia Santana, Sun Sentinel

The body found floating in the backyard pool of an accused methamphetamine dealer last week was that of Rafael Enrique Morales III, 31, of Port Richey, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Investigators released Morales' name Tuesday afternoon but declined to make public additional information surrounding the death in the 3400 block of Northeast 17th Terrace, in Oakland Park. The death remains under investigation.

Morales is a former Fort Lauderdale resident who had a prison record. He did two nine-month prison stints beginning in 2001 and 2004, after arrests in Broward and Pasco counties on charges of cocaine possession and burglary, state records show.

The owner of the home where Morales was found dead is Dr. John Habib, 55, who told deputies that he woke up about 3 p.m. Thursday and found a body in his pool. Habib said he had no idea how the body got there, according to his attorney and sheriff's officials.

Authorities in March arrested Habib, an anesthesiologist, on charges he sold and used crystal meth at his home. The Florida Department of Health suspended his medical license soon after.

Habib has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is awaiting trial.

The Sheriff's Office asks that anyone with information on Morales' death call homicide Detective David Ellwood at 954-321-4210 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).